Kenya attracted $3.2 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025 — up +37.7% year-on-year and a historic record that cements the country as East Africa's leading investment destination. The drivers: digital technology, renewable energy, and a surging stock market.
A stock market among the world's best performers
The Nairobi Securities Exchange delivered a remarkable performance in 2025: the NSE 20 index surged +56.1% to 3,139.19 points, while the NASI rose +51.1%. Trading volumes reached KES 145 billion (+37%), with Safaricom alone accounting for 32% of transactions. The bond market recorded KES 2.7 trillion in transactions.
Silicon Savannah: Africa's startup funding leader
Kenyan startups raised approximately $1 billion in 2025, reaffirming Nairobi's position as Africa's top startup funding hub. Fintech accounts for 42% of all tech investment in the country — reflecting the historic dominance of Safaricom and M-Pesa in mobile payments, a model that has inspired the whole continent.
The KIICO 2026 conference aims to accelerate this momentum by targeting diversified sectors: agri-tech, climate, digital health, and infrastructure.
Renewables: 80% of electricity from clean sources
More than 80% of Kenya's electricity already comes from renewable sources, with geothermal accounting for around 40% of the energy mix. The country has set a target of 100% clean energy by 2030 — an attractive framework for green infrastructure investors, with power purchase agreements spanning 20 to 25 years.
Diaspora: the third source of foreign exchange
In 2024, Kenyan diaspora remittances reached $4.9 billion, up +18% year-on-year, averaging $427 million per month — a major macroeconomic anchor against shilling volatility.
Why it matters
Kenya is no longer just East Africa's gateway — it is asserting itself as a continental heavyweight. The tripling of FDI over three years (from $1.5bn in 2022 to $3.2bn in 2025), a globally dynamic stock market, and a world-recognised startup ecosystem make Kenya the reference point for any investor seeking African exposure.